International Folk Festival Explores Various Cultures

The Sandy Amphitheater was transported around the world
during the International Folk Festival. Held Aug. 17, the annual festival
presents dance numbers from all over the globe to patrons to help explore
different cultures.

The festival is put together by Adrian Ruiz, the director of
the Narodna International Dancers. Ruiz himself has been dancing for many years
and used to perform around the world at international festivals when he was a
member of the Rocky Mountain Dancers and the Jubilee American Dance Theater in
San Francisco.

“We would represent the USA at international folk festivals
performing traditional dances from the USA,” Ruiz said. “My last tour was in
2014.”

Seven years ago, Ruiz approached Sandy City about hosting an
international folk festival based on the many festivals he had attended
worldwide. The city accepted and has been hosting the festival ever since.

“The only difference between those festivals and this one is
I use local groups instead of international groups to represent their country
and ethnic heritage,” Ruiz said.

During this year’s performance, dancers performed two dances
each from Russia, Germany, Hungary and Bulgaria.

“Our invited guests include the Russian band/singer group
called Phonograph Blue, who will combine their talents with our dance
group for the Russian suite,” Ruiz said.

Also in the show are the Arirang Korean Drum Dance Club, the
DF Dance Studio performing Latin dances such salsa, flamenco and tango, the
Salt Lake Scandinavian Music and Dance Club and the Grupo De Colores
representing Mexico.

“Our program is about 90 minutes long with music and song
and gives the audience a taste of dance, music and
traditional costumes from around the world,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz said it is difficult to say what dance is the most
popular because each country represented has its unique style of dancing.

“Mexican is very colorful and dynamic. Russian has beauty
and przhadkas, or deep knee bends, which audiences enjoy. German is fun because
of the oom pah pay music. Korean drums are loud and the costumes gorgeous,”
Ruiz said. “So unlike ballet or rock and roll, one cannot single out any
particular dance step as most popular.”

Every year, Ruiz tries to get different ethnic groups to
perform so there is something new for the audiences.

“We are very grateful to the staff of the Sandy Amphitheater
for allowing us to put this festival on each year, and every year it has grown
in popularity and we have become one of the mainstays of the Sandy Amphitheater
summer season,” Ruiz said.

Ruize hopes audiences seeing the festival will take away an
appreciation for the many ethnic cultures here in the valley.